Do your kids look Paleo?

I've read in many places about the changes that occurred to humans once they adopted a Neo lifestyle. This movement is far enough along that we should have some kids who were raised Paleo again. Are you seeing any differences? Are their brains bigger? Do they have larger jaws? What other skeletal differences do you see?

Skepticism is totally understandable, but keep in mind that influence of long term paleo diet on kids look is not yet well-known! Maybe we are going to have more cases like this as paleo diet becomes more popular ;)

No downvote here either, but I'd like to recommend you read some Weston A. Price. He often noted drastic differences and declines in health in many cultures in just the first generation after they adopted grains/etc. Here is his book online - http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks02/0200251h.html

Yeah, some people seem to think this question is about evolutionary changes in genes, but it's clearly not. It's more likely about changes in gene expression and the acquisition of nutrients needed for optimal development, as borofergie has just said said.

Some people seem to think this question is about evolutionary changes in genes, but it's clearly not. It's more likely about changes in gene expression and the acquisition of nutrients needed for optimal development, which could definitely cause observable change in one generation.

If the parents have perfect bone structure then eating a paleo styled diet probably wouldn't make the kids look super more paleo. But assuming the parents had sub par bone structure because of dietary/lifestyle choices, but give their children all the nutrients they were missing, it is very reasonable for someone's children to look exceptionally paleo compared to their parents even.

it is not realistic to think that evolution happens so rapidly, it would take far more generations to see a significant difference in the jaw structure. but it might be possible to see differences in behavior and hormones.

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What is wrong with you guys down-voting him. This is a good question. The brain part might be a little over-zealous but it is VERY realistic to see skeletal changes in the following generation. Jaw size is related to testosterone levels in men and eating lots of saturated fats along with fat soluble vitamins a d k2 promote healthy testosterone levels in growing adolescents and men. It is wholly probably to see first generation differences in skeleton, specifically dental health, palate formation, bmd etc based on a child's diet growing up.

I don't have any kids, but I can tell you I'm 22, male, and my bones are still growing though in girth more than height, and paleo-isque bone-growing-friendly foods are a big part of my diet. This is a VERY reasonable question, I do not appreciate the -2 votes when I arrived.

If the parents have perfect bone structure then eating a paleo styled diet probably wouldn't make the kids look super more paleo. But assuming the parents had sub par bone structure because of dietary/lifestyle choices, but give their children all the nutrients they were missing, it is very reasonable for someone's children to look exceptionally paleo compared to their parents even.

Yeah, some people seem to think this question is about evolutionary changes in genes, but it's clearly not. It's more likely about changes in gene expression and the acquisition of nutrients needed for optimal development, as borofergie has just said said.

it is not realistic to think that evolution happens so rapidly, it would take far more generations to see a significant difference in the jaw structure. but it might be possible to see differences in behavior and hormones.

Some people seem to think this question is about evolutionary changes in genes, but it's clearly not. It's more likely about changes in gene expression and the acquisition of nutrients needed for optimal development, which could definitely cause observable change in one generation.

Dunno with my kids yet. Too young and my wife and I were not paleo pre-delivery. I can tell you that I personally have a large enough jaw to accompany all of my wisdom teeth and have them currently. I also never required braces. I think those are two indications of good nutrition during development personally. We shall see if my kids follow the same pattern. So far my 5 year old has straight strong teeth, and is not injured easily. He is bright and very energetic. My three year old was born with Polands syndrome, so we will be continuing to work with him structurally until adulthood.

This is certainly a sensible question. The following link is useful in understanding how diet can affect the foetus right down to the level of switching genes on and off, either for short periods in the womb or permanently, all the way through gestation, childhood and adulthood. Some of these effects are likely to affect the appearance of the child as they grow up.

If you raise a child on an ancestral diet, he/she will grow with thicker stronger bones, larger teeth and jaws, good skull shape and healthy eyes and sexual development, better gut health and have clearer skin than your average american teen eating a SAD style diet. If i have a child, i will raise him/her from day one on a natural paleo type diet.

My friends are blond scandinavian type couple. Two years before giving birth to their child they started paleo. Now he is healthy child with well developed jaw bones (see picture). Paleo definitely worked. (or maybe their visit to Australia around a year before the kid was born)

Skepticism is totally understandable, but keep in mind that influence of long term paleo diet on kids look is not yet well-known! Maybe we are going to have more cases like this as paleo diet becomes more popular ;)

I've been wondering about this myself. Comparing the ultrasound photos, between 1st and 2nd baby (who I haven't met yet) the second with whom I had been much more into organ meats and took k2 from before the time he was conceived has a much more pronounced jawline and wider palate. I don't know if this is just a normal genetic variation that would have occurred anyway, or if it was influenced by better nutrition. I've asked every single health care professional we've talked to so far about this, and they've all looked at me like I have 2 heads when I ask. Who knows? I like to think I had a good influence on his development.

it is not realistic to think that evolution happens so rapidly, it would take far more generations to see a significant difference in the jaw structure. but it might be possible to see differences in behavior and hormones.

It takes thousands if not millions of years for evolutionary changes to take place.

*I misunderstood the question. Yes, there can be changes in the human body by a drastic change in nutrition, specially if you are on the growing stage, this changes are produced mainly by the endocrine system and hormone production.

No downvote here either, but I'd like to recommend you read some Weston A. Price. He often noted drastic differences and declines in health in many cultures in just the first generation after they adopted grains/etc. Here is his book online - http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks02/0200251h.html